Once the flagship location for Lord & Taylor, this building has been restored and repurposed to serve as the workplace for more than 2,000 Amazon employees. Starrett and Van Vleck designed the 11-story department store in the Italian Renaissance Revival style; construction was completed in 1914. Lord & Taylor remained until 2019.
Amazon purchased the building in March 2020. The company maintained its commitment to New York, with a restoration that cleaned and repaired the handsome brick, granite, terra cotta, and limestone facade; installed new wood windows that match the originals; rebuilt lost balconies; repaired the copper cornice, and restored terra cotta eagles at the 11th floor colonnade capitals. On the ground floor, the bronze entrance doors, display windows, decorative spandrels, and grills were restored. That level will house retail and community spaces.
The project also included the rehabilitation of the historic Dreicer Building, adjacent and interconnected to #424. The results respect the historic character of this much-loved building, and ensure that this section of Fifth Avenue remains an active streetscape.
Matt Coneybeare
Editor in Chief
Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.
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